The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-16
DIR. MoGLYNN ACCOMMODATED.

All speculation as to the course of
the Papal authorities at Rome in the
case of Rev. DIR. McGlynn, is now
definitely at rest. The decree has gone
forth and the refractory priest is
accommodated" Henceforth the
Church of Rome will know McGlynn
no more; he is deprived not only of all
priestly functions, but also of the bene-
fits of divine service in the Catholic
church, the sacraments, and all other
privileges of church communion. The
| Papal brief is not an elaborate docu.
ment, but very much to the point. 1t
sets forth the controversy of the priest
and refers with sorrow to his per-
sistency in defying the church, which
has been so anxious to see him repent
and do penance for the scandal that he
has provoked. 1t goes on to explain
the necessity of the present act, COM
pliments Archbishop Corrigan on his
tirmness and discretion, and ends by
instructing him to publish the decree
of accommodation at once. Follow
ing is the letter of Archbishop CORR
gan, conveying the edict of the so-called
sacred congregation:
To THE VERY REVEREND CLERGY
AND FAITHFUL LAITY OF THE ARCH
DIOCESE: Belt known that on the 4th
day of May, 1887, the sacred congrega-
ton of the propaganda admonished
Rev. DR.. Edward McGlynn, late rector
of st. Stephens church of this city,
that he had already rendered himself
liable to ecclesiastical censure by dis
obeying the positive command of the
sovereign pontiff given Jan. II. Wish
ing, however, to deal leniently with
him, the sacred congregation, refrain
ing from issuing censure and Offering
him further opportunity to be heard in
his own behalf, gave him final
peremptory order to present himself at
Rome within forty days from the re-
ceipt of the letter containing such
order under pain of accommodation
to be incurred ipS0 fdct0 ct nonlinatinl.
This letter was duly delivered to Rev.
DIR. McGlynn, and as he allowed the
days of grace to pass UNDECIDED, it be-
came our sad duty to notify him that
he incurred by his own act this penalty
of communication by name, whereby
he is cut off from the communion of
the church, from its sacraments and
participation in its prayers. And
should he persevere in his contumacy,
deprived of the right after death to
Christian burial. 1t becomes also our
duty to declare to the clergy and laity
in our charge, which we do by these
letters, that Rev. DR.. Edward MEG lynn
is accommodated nominatim, with
all the penalties attached to this CEN
sure by the canons of the church.
MICHAEL AUGUSTINE,
Archbishop of New York.
Neeo York, July s, 1887.
This result is nothing more than what
might be naturally expected from
Rome. The papal authorities could not
overlook the offenses of DR.. McGlynn.
His position from the beginning has
been that of sturdy and unrelenting
opposition to the policy and demands
of what he has styled the ecclesiastical
machine" Rome has not yet been ed
ucated by the march of events to dis
criminate between loyalty to the church
in spiritual matters and disloyalty to
its political methods and policy. The
point repeatedly made by DIR. McGlynn
that as an American citizen he was not
amenable to discipline by the Pope and
the college of cardinals for his political
opinions, that his VOW of obedience
only related to spiritual matters, is evil
IDENTIFY not acceptable doctrine at Rome,
and the answer of the hierarchy is now
at hand in the decree Of excommuni-
cation. Rome does not endorse any
such nice drawn distinctions. Rebel
lion against the papacy in any direction
is the death-knell for priest. DIR. Nc
Glynn, by persistent disobedience,
forced the issue, and the result is be-
fore the world. So far as Rome has
power, the edict will follow with disas-
trous consequences the once popular,
but now accommodated priest. The
decree will rest upon him during life,
depriving him of all that he holds dear
as Catholic; and if he dies excommu-
nicate, his remains will be denied burial
in cOnsecrated ground.
The outlook for DIR. McGlynn as
Roman Catholic is very dismal indeed.
But he has one refuge may seek the
consultations of religion in the Protes-
tant church and enjoy the communion
of saints" and the sacraments and SER
vices of religion undisturbed in that
communion. 1t is not likely, however,
that he will seek Protestant fellowship.
DIR. McGlynn will probably prefer to
remain under the ban of Rome, and
pursue the work he has already marked
out in the secular world. Had he not
saddled himself with a false and
chimercial theory of political economy,
and committed himself to the defense
of Henry Georges pet insanity, his fu-